Shop at Bi-Lo to get baseball ticket, then go take in game

Starting this month, Bi-Lo offers customers the chance to receive one free ticket to a minor league baseball game through Aug. 31.

Bi-Lo has launched the "Southern Home Run" program to provide tickets to games in the 2009 season. Customers can attend a home game for the Augusta GreenJackets or any of the following seven teams (so long as that particular game doesn't sell out): Greenville Drive, Asheville Tourists, Kannapolis Intimidators, Charlotte Knights, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Charleston Riverdogs and Chattanooga Lookouts.

To receive a promotional ticket, customers must buy seven participating Southern Home brand items in one transaction using their Bi-Lo Bonus Card. If they buy 14 items, they will receive two tickets.

The items available for the promotion include: deli cheese slices, meat franks, bratwurst, cold cuts (ham and turkey), salad spreads, coleslaw, potato salad, ketchup, squeeze mustard, salsa, tortilla chips, pudding snacks, white 250-count napkins, 48-count heavy-duty cutlery, 50-foot heavy-duty aluminum foil and party cups.

EXPANDED WI-FI SERVICE: Augusta has expanded its high-speed wireless Internet service for use in a 4-square-mile area of downtown.

The service has been available free at Augusta Common for the past year, but the new service allows customers to sign up for pay-per-use or subscription plans. There are hourly, daily and monthly plans for pay per use, in addition to monthly subscriptions.

The services are offered through Gibson Technical Services, of Canton, Ga. They let residents have Internet access without signing up for it through cable or phone companies.

COUPON OF THE WEEK: Today's edition of The Augusta Chronicle has $330.50 in coupon savings. In the Smart Source book, you'll find discounts on vehicle service at Firestone Complete Auto Care. The coupons provide $10 off a standard oil change, $15 off an air conditioning performance check and $40 off brake service. The coupons expire April 30.

RECAP

Here are some highlights from The Pinch last week:

Augustino's discounts : Augustino's has coupons for $2 off its pasta bar.

The coupons are available inside the restaurant or can be accessed through its Web site under the "Insider's Dish" category. Print out the coupon and present it during your visit. The coupon is valid from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The offer expires April 17.

The restaurant is at 2 10th St. inside the Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites. The discount will not be offered during Masters Week, according to employees.

In addition, Augustino's offers discounts through The Silver Spoon Dining Club, which gives members newsletters and early promotional announcements, and 10 percent off all food purchases. By completing the registration form, customers will be placed in a quarterly drawing to win lunch for two. There is no membership fee.

Present your card with payment to receive the 10 percent discount. The registration form is available on Augustino's Web site or inside the restaurant.

Discounts on medical uniforms : Carolyn's Scrubs, 2825 Washington Road, has savings on medical uniforms as part of its clearance sale.

The clearance items include:

- American Scrubs Inc.: Solid tops and pants -- $5 each; print tops -- $9 each

- Life: Solid tops and pants -- $5 each; scrub jackets -- $9

Lenten specials : Rhinehart's Oyster Bar has seafood specials for Lent. The daily fried shrimp basket with fries or grits costs $5.95; adding a soft drink brings the price to $6.77.

The offer is in effect from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The restaurant has Thursday and Friday Date Nights, too. Dinner specials offer two meals for $18.18. Customers can choose from the following four meals: Oyster Fantasy, Shrimp Feast, Fish Dinner and Frank's Special.

The offer is dine-in only, from 4 to 10 p.m.

Reach LaTina Emerson at (706) 823-3227 or latina.emerson@augustachronicle.com.

Read LaTina Emerson's blog on saving money and shopping smarter in Augusta at blogs.augusta.com.